During the mid-1950s the United States Air Force was given its most
powerful single-seat, two-engine fighter to date. The Voodoo would be
deployed before the end of that decade in the tactical nuclear bomber
and tactical reconnaissance roles worldwide, and in homeland defense
with the two-seat, all-weather variant. In December 1957 it took the
World Air Speed Record to Mach 1.6 - over one and a half times faster
than the sound barrier.
This book looks at the evolution of the original design and its
introduction into service. Chapters cover operations in Korea, Vietnam,
the Cuban Crisis and in Europe during the Cold War years. Many firsthand
accounts from pilots are included and the author's own experiences with
the aircraft are relayed with fascinating insight.
The Voodoo was an elegant, mean-looking fighting machine that epitomized
fast flying in the fifties and sixties. It continues to be a revered
airplane.